New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-06-02
CYPRUS ONCE MORE

The cession Of Cyprus to England by the
Sultan is announced in the cable dispatch hes.
This result must have been effected by treaty
since tho arrangements made in the Convcn-
ton of June 2, 1875 will have to be formally
modified The completion of the transfer Of
territory follows the negotiation of the treaty
with the Porte limiting the British occupation
Of Egypt to three years, with the privilege Of
returning whenever an emergency may arise.
Sir Dummond w off, In arranging the terms
of that illusory Convention, may have con
sidered it necessary TO demand the complete
transfer to England Of jurisdiction over Cy-
prus so as to secure permanent foothOld in
the Eastern Mediterranean of the coast Of
Asia Minor The uselessncss of Cyprus. how
ever, in relation to tho Sucz Canal was dis
closed during the Egyptian campaign. 1t
was not employed as base Of supplies nor
for any purpose whatever during the military
and naval operations. Why England should
insist upon having the island definitely cedcd
at the moment when the occupation Of
Egypt is limited in time it Is not easy I'll
determine. Possibly the recent disclosures
respecting the bargain between Russia and
Austria over Bosnia and herzegovina have
SohiCohIlS w uO NlVn ~ Lulu DdiiSDWy
may have been convinced by Prince Bismarck s
revelations that no dependence is TO be placed
upon Austria when the Russians plan their
next advance upon Constantinople There
was secret understanding in 1877 by which
neutrality was purchased. There is likely to
DO another secret understanding and parti-
ton of territory when the Sultan's dominion
in Europe comes TO an end and with Russia
in command Of COnstantinople and an Aus.
trian garrison in Salonica England will be
moro securely in,renchcd off the coast Of
Asia Minor if Cyprus be definitely ceded
Tho transfer of the titular sovereignty Of
Cyprus probably abrogates the famous treaty
of June 2, 1873, which Lord BcacOnsfcd s
admirers considered al the time diplomatic
masterpiece. 1t was negotiated on the eve Of
the Congress of Berlin, the British Prime
Minister entering that great council with a
secret treaty in each pocket, having settled
matters privately with both Russia and the Porte.
Tho Turkish Convention was nothing less than
defensive alliance between the Sultan and
Great Britain concluded for the purpose Of
securing Asia Minor against Russian aggression.
BY tho first article England engaged herself
TO join the Porto in defending by force Of
arms Asia Minor, if Batum, Arabian Or Kars
were retained by Russia Or any new act of
aggression committed. By the second article
tho Sultan agreed to introduce various "neccs.
sary reforms in his dealings with his Christ.
ian subjects, and in order to enable England
TO provide for the execution of her engage
mcnts no allowed her TO occupy and admin
lister Cyprus. supplementary article pro
vided for Mussulman resident, religious tn
bunals and the payment to the Porte of any
excess Of revenue over expenditures in the
administration Of the island. England also
agreed to evacuate Cyprus if Russia could be
prevailed upon to restore to Turkey Kars and
her other conquests in Armenia
All these provisions now seem grotcsquc.
II was most specious and illusory diplomatic
compact A month on moro after it was